Kekst CNC Anchors Publicis's Global M&A PR

By EPR Editorial Team

Edited on Jun 28, 2026.

Related: PR Firms Directory · Industry Leaders · Crisis Communications

Kekst CNC is the global strategic communications and stakeholder advisory firm specializing in M&A, financial, crisis, and corporate communications. Formed by the 2019 merger of Kekst and Company (founded 1970 in New York by Gershon Kekst) and CNC Communications & Network Consulting (founded 2002 in Munich), the firm is part of Publicis Groupe and operates with offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Kekst CNC is consistently ranked at the top of M&A communications league tables globally.

Founded: Kekst and Company in 1970 by Gershon Kekst; merged with CNC in 2019
Headquarters: New York and Munich (dual-HQ structure)
Ownership: Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: PUB), since the 2008 MSLGROUP acquisition
Website: kekstcnc.com

Overview

Kekst CNC operates at the highest end of global strategic communications, advising boards, CEOs, and senior management on the most consequential corporate moments — major M&A transactions, contested situations, activist defense, regulatory crisis, restructuring, and capital markets events.

The firm's M&A practice consistently ranks at the top of global league tables by transaction value. Chambers ranks the firm in the top band for crisis and cybersecurity communications. Kekst CNC is one of the firms — alongside Joele Frank and Brunswick Group — that consistently appears in tier one of M&A communications league tables.

History and Ownership

Gershon Kekst founded Kekst and Company in 1970 in New York City, building one of the first U.S. firms dedicated to senior-level financial communications. Kekst's positioning — small, senior, partner-led — set the template that the modern U.S. financial communications category has built on.

Publicis Groupe acquired Kekst and Company in 2008 as part of its acquisition of MSLGROUP. In 2019, Kekst merged with CNC Communications & Network Consulting, a Munich-based strategic communications firm. The combined firm operates with a dual-HQ structure between New York and Munich.

Key Milestones

1970: Gershon Kekst founded Kekst and Company in New York.

2002: CNC Communications & Network Consulting founded in Munich.

2008: Publicis Groupe acquired Kekst and Company through its MSLGROUP acquisition.

2019: Kekst merged with CNC to form Kekst CNC.

Practice Areas

• M&A and Transaction Communications. Top of global league tables by transaction value.
• Crisis Communications. Chambers top band.
• Activism Defense.
• Capital Markets. IPO communications, secondary offerings.
• Restructuring.
• Cybersecurity Crisis. Chambers top band.
• Corporate Reputation.
• Litigation Communications.

Recognition and Industry Standing

Kekst CNC is consistently ranked at the top of global M&A communications league tables by transaction value. Chambers ranks the firm in the top band in crisis communications and cybersecurity communications globally.

Why Kekst CNC Matters in the Category

Kekst CNC is the global benchmark for senior-led financial communications. The firm's category position is built on a five-decade track record of advising boards, CEOs, and senior management on the most consequential transactions and contested situations.

EPR Coverage

Everything-PR has covered Kekst (and now Kekst CNC) since 2009. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/kekst.

FAQ

Who founded Kekst CNC? Kekst and Company was founded in 1970 in New York by Gershon Kekst. CNC was founded in 2002 in Munich. The two firms merged in 2019.

Who owns Kekst CNC? Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: PUB), through the 2008 MSLGROUP acquisition.

What does Kekst CNC specialize in? M&A and transaction communications, crisis communications, activism defense, capital markets, restructuring, cybersecurity crisis, corporate reputation, and litigation communications.

Where is Kekst CNC headquartered? Dual-HQ structure between New York and Munich.

Key Takeaways

• Kekst CNC is the global benchmark for senior-led M&A and financial communications.
• Formed by the 2019 merger of Kekst and Company (1970, New York) and CNC (2002, Munich).
• Owned by Publicis Groupe since the 2008 MSLGROUP acquisition.
• Dual-HQ structure between New York and Munich.
• Consistently ranked at the top of global M&A communications league tables.
• Chambers top band in crisis communications and cybersecurity communications.

Related Agency Profiles

M&A and financial advisory peers: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher · Brunswick Group · FGS Global · Sard Verbinnen & Co · ICR · Prosek Partners · Teneo

Publicis Groupe sister network: MSL

Crisis & corporate competitors: Edelman · Burson · APCO Worldwide · Levick

Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory